Our Lifesong matching grant of $3,000 has been fulfilled!! We did it!! Or should I say, you did it!!

I received word that our goal has been met! What a relief! Finally, some very good news.

To all that donated, I thank you! From the bottom of my heart, I thank you!! If I could take you all out to dinner and show my thanks, I truly would!! But let me just tell you, there are a bunch of you!! 🙂

If you ever want to make a person feel loved, you have. My family and I feel it more than ever!! And, we appreciate it more than ever!!

I will focus on that today, the love that I feel from our family and friends because everything else about this adoption is putting me again in the depths of despair!

We have officially been waiting now for over 7 weeks for our LOA. Ugh!!

As I watch the adoption online boards, there are families that are just now getting their LOA’s and one has been waiting for 150 days!! That is AWFUL!! Another family received their LOA after 33 days!! WHAT??

There truly is no rhyme or reason to why they come as late or as quickly as they do. It is what it is!!

Well, there is one reason why they come early, it’s a medical expedite. If your child has special needs that require medical intervention quickly, they can hurry you through the process. I am thankful that Peanut does not need medical intervention right now, she just needs her family! And her family needs her.

So, I will wait.

I will wait for my children’s passports to come in.

I will wait for the ever illusive LOA to show up!!

I will wait because no matter what I do, I cannot make them materialize out of thin air. (But do not think I haven’t tried!! I have thought positive all week!!)

Ok, I realize that I have not kept up with this blog like I should. I told myself I was going to post everyday to it, yeah, that didn’t turn out.

Then I told myself I would post every other day to it, we see how that’s gone.

Now I’m finding that if I post something weekly, I’m doing good!! 😉

I think it’s just the waiting around for the paperwork to be processed and approved. It wears on you!!

I’m also waiting for an update on Peanut, but I still haven’t gotten one of those either!!

1 Samuel 30:6 says “but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

He found he could place very little confidence in his men; and, as he was conscious that this evil had not happened either through his neglect or folly, he saw he might the more confidently expect succor from his Maker. ~ Clarke’s Commentary on the Bible

So I must use this as my prayer today.

But if you get a chance, pray for me! Pray for this LOA process. There is no rhyme or reason as to why the wait is what it is. We could wait as little as 60 days, but upward of 150 days!! After you receive LOA, then you are about 3 months to travel. So if we got LOA tomorrow, that would put us leaving for China by the end of May! Perfect! Kids are out of school!! 🙂

This kid is fabulous! He is smart, kind, thoughtful, and funny!! Yes, I said funny!! I know he is quiet and shy, but get him out of his shell and you’ll meet a completely different guy!

He was inducted into the Junior National Honor Society last night at Clinton Central. To say that Jeremy and I were not bursting with pride, would be a lie. I ALWAYS wanted to be in National Honor Society, but I just didn’t have the brains for it. I know, it’s hard to believe!! 😉

Taylor was nominated last year, but never filled out his application. So for him to get this honor again, he did not take it lightly.

I would like to thank the administration at CCHS for seeing the importance of this program and for allowing our school to participate.

We had a blast last night and here are some pictures and video to prove it…..

Dr. Shand welcoming everyone!

Kennedy trying to be quiet as she eats her Funyuns!! Yep, that's a quiet snack!! 😉

Current 8th grade members of NJHS.

Taylor waiting.....

Kyle lighting the candle for Service.

Taking the Pledge

Receiving his certificate

Receiving his pin

LOVE this face he's making!!

All of the 2012 nominees.

Hanging out after the ceremony.

Kennedy hanging out after the ceremony!!

Proud sister!!

Taylor and Kyle, friends since Kindergarten! They look so grown up!!

This one cracked me up!!! I had to add it!!

Very proud parents!!

Again, very proud parents, but notice the certificate!! Way to go NJHS student!! 🙂

Taylor you amaze your Dad and me daily. We are so thankful God gave you to us. You make us proud everyday of your life. We love you!

When I first saw my Peanut’s face, I knew she needed a baby doll. Every little girl needs a doll.

I LOVED dolls, especially Barbie dolls. I played with them till I was 14 years old!! That’s my son’s age by the way, and I cannot imagine my daughter playing with them still!!

But that was 20+ years ago, a completely different time and age in the land before technology ruled the world!

Ok, back to the subject, dolls!!!

Kennedy received an American Girl doll several Christmas’ ago, and she loved it, still loves it. We get her out every now and then and brush her hair. She is beautiful, she is a Just Like Me doll. Meaning she was custom ordered to look like Kennedy. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She is perfect. Her name is Holly due to her being a Christmas present.

But Mollie, what do we get her? She’s too little for an American Girl doll, but I’m sure there is one in her future. 🙂

I was looking for a doll that looked like Mollie. I want her to know that we have thought about her, and her culture. I want her to have a doll that represents who she is and how precious she is to Jeremy and myself. I want a doll for Mollie that looks Just. Like. Her.

Then I found it!! From another adoptive mom!!

Baby Be Blessed Dolls is a website that I LOVE!! These dolls are precious and represent more than just a toy.

Our mission and deepest desire is for each child to come to know, understand and live for Jesus Christ.

AWESOME!!!

Needless to say, Mollie will be getting a doll from this very special ministry!